How accurate is Birdsong's bird identifier?

It runs Google's Perch, a research-grade acoustic model covering nearly 15,000 species. When a call is ambiguous, we say so honestly and let you record a second clip to confirm, rather than guessing.

Is my recording stored?

No. Your audio is used to identify the bird in the moment and isn't saved to our servers. The birds you confirm are kept as cards in your own field journal; the recordings themselves are not.

Is the bird identifier free?

Yes — identify birds every day for free, no account required. Birdsong Pro ($3.99/mo or $39.99/yr) unlocks unlimited IDs, full field guides, your growing collection, and shareable Field Report cards.

Do I need an account or internet to identify a bird?

You'll need a connection to identify, since the AI runs in the cloud. No account is needed to try it — sign in with Google or email to save your field journal and sync it across devices.

Birdsong field guide

Black Siskin

Spinus atratus

A striking high-altitude finch characterized by its predominantly jet-black plumage contrasted with brilliant yellow wing and tail flashes.

What it sounds like

A rapid, high-pitched series of buzzy trills and twittering notes, often punctuated by a sharp 'tsit' or 'tsee' call.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:22

Rec. Andrew Spencer · PeruCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is one of the highest-dwelling finches in the world, frequently occurring at elevations between 3,000 and 4,500 meters.
Males exhibit nearly uniform deep black feathers, while females are slightly duller with a sootier or more olive-toned appearance.
The species is highly gregarious outside the breeding season, often forming flocks of thirty or more individuals to forage.
Its diet is specialized toward the seeds of high-altitude alpine plants, particularly those found in the puna and paramo zones.
Unlike many other siskins, it often nests in protected rock crevices or stone walls to mitigate the extreme Andean climate.

Habitat

High-altitude puna grasslands, rocky slopes, and montane shrublands.

Range

The Andes mountain range, spanning southern Peru, western Bolivia, northern Chile, and northwestern Argentina.

Similar & commonly confused birds

American GoldfinchSpinus tristis Andean SiskinSpinus spinescens Antillean SiskinSpinus dominicensis Black-capped SiskinSpinus atriceps Black-chinned SiskinSpinus barbatus Black-headed SiskinSpinus notatus Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinus Hooded SiskinSpinus magellanicus

Heard a Black Siskin?

Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.

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